Course Descriptions

ERS 100--Introduction to Ethnic and Racial Studies
An examination of the persistence of minority and ethnic problems in the United States and consideration of the contributions, parallels, similarities, and differences between and among ethnic and minority groups.

ERS 220--Ethnic and Racial Stereotypes in Media
This course will trace how popular entertainment mediums such as film, television, books, comics, "wild west shows", music and cartoons have impacted perceptions of ethnic and racial groups from the early seventeenth century to the present.  Besides analyzing the persuasive power of these types of mediums, it will examine why such representations were created and why they still persist.  The mythopoeic image that surrounds American Indians, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics and other minority groups will be juxtaposed against the historical reality that these groups have faced and the contemporary inequalities that we still must confront.

ERS 253--Introduction to Wisconsin Indians  
An introductory examination of Wisconsin Indians with specific reference to the Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Ojibwa, Oneida, Potawatomi, and the Stockbridge-Munsee communities.  Using an interdisciplinary approach, topics will include sovereignty, land use and environmental issues, education, economic development, social issues and challenges, and tribal identity.  The course will also explore each tribe's responses to both state and federal governments. 

ERS 300--Topics and Symposiums in Ethnic and Racial Studies
Topics selected by the individual  instructor or by the students and instructor together.  Special interest of both the instructor and students such as Black drama or Native American art, or other areas of concern which are either not covered or briefly dealt with in formal course work may be the vehicles for this offering.  Repeatable for credit--maximum 6.

ERS/SOC 343--American Indian Contemporary Issues  
This course is an interdisciplinary examination of American Indian contemporary experience in the United States.  It will introduce students to some of the critical issues in American Indian studies by examining the place of American Indians within the American imagination, politics and society.  The course concentrates on issues of tribal sovereignty, economics, social class and structure, and the difficulties of maintaining a tribal identity in the 21st Century.  (Cross-listed with SOC 243.)

ERS 351--Ethnic and Racial Relations
An introductory course that examines leading theories of racial and ethnic relations in the United States and assesses their significance and relevance in explaining historic and contemporary relations between the white majority and the racial and ethnic minorities.  It also analyzes and evaluates the impact of various laws, policies, and programs on racial and ethnic relations.

ERS 400/500--Individual Study in Ethnic and Racial Studies
Directed reading and research under the supervision of an instructor.  Prerequisite:  permission of the instructor.  Repeatable for credit--maximum 6.

ERS 410/510--Contemporary Issues in Ethnic and Racial Studies
An introduction to ethnic minority groups in the United States today emphasizing the historical antecedents of contemporary issues with particular attention to the problems of ethnic groups and educational institutions.  Offered Sem. I.

ERS 490--Ethnic and Racial Studies Seminar
This capstone course is designed as a culminating experience for students completing a minor in Ethnic and Racial Studies.  Students will complete their ERS portfolios containing samples of all courses taken for the minor.  In addition, students will be required to write a reflective essay that reviews the course materials in the portfolios.  Students will also write a seminar research paper which analyzes some aspect of ethnic and racial experience in the United States.  Prerequisite:  ERS 100, 251, and 12 credits from core and elective courses.  Offered Sem. II.